In a move to address concerns and enhance the attractiveness of the Agnipath recruitment scheme, the central government is reportedly considering significant changes. According to defence sources cited by India Today, these potential adjustments include a higher retention rate for Agniveers, along with revised compensation and benefits packages.
These updates are seen as an effort to refine the scheme's framework and respond to criticism and protests from Army aspirants. The report suggests that senior defence ministry officials are actively discussing plans to boost the retention rate, allowing more Agniveers to continue their service beyond the initial four-year period. Currently, only 25% are retained, a number deemed insufficient by military experts.
A top defence source was quoted as saying, "One-fourth is too low a number to be retained to maintain the desired combat strength on the ground. The Army has recommended that the percentage of Agniveers retained should increase to around 50% at the end of the four years."
The Army has formally submitted these recommendations to the government based on internal feedback and surveys conducted within various units. While defence officials acknowledge that implementing these changes might take time, they emphasize the ongoing efforts to improve the Agnipath scheme.
What is the Agnipath scheme?
Introduced in 2022, the Agnipath scheme aims to modernize the armed forces and reduce the burgeoning defence pension bill. It recruits individuals, known as Agniveers, into the Army, Navy, and Air Force for a four-year short-term contract. Only 25% of the annual recruits are currently eligible for a permanent commission.The scheme has faced widespread protests, with potential recruits worried about their future prospects after the four-year term. The Opposition, particularly the Congress party, has called for its withdrawal, while even members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have suggested a review.
Reports also suggest that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has faced setbacks in recent Lok Sabha elections in regions with a high concentration of defence personnel, further highlighting the need to address concerns surrounding the Agnipath scheme.
